A fire in your home can change your life completely. Knowing where to begin and who can help you is important. The U.S. Fire Administration has published a booklet that can help you get through this rough time. This publication will provide you with some valuable information on what you should do after experiencing a fire in your home.

Petersburg Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services is not equipped to fill fire extinguishers at this time. However, you can find local fire extinguisher businesses in the yellow pages to refill them.

We recommend contact us to schedule a tour. Remember, even when tours are scheduled the tour may be cut short or cancelled due to the station receiving an alarm and having to leave. To schedule a tour, please contact the Public Educator, Shalonda Venable at (804) 733-2412.

Every smoke alarm has a test button, usually in the center of the alarm. Press the test button and hold it for a few seconds. If it is working correctly, the alarm will sound and will automatically stop when you release the button. Remember to test your smoke alarm monthly and change the batteries twice a year.

Most modern smoke alarm will chirp to alert you the batteries are low, you should replace the batteries and test your smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can be purchased at any hardware or large commercial department store.

Smoke alarms should be placed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. On floors without bedrooms, alarms should be installed in or near living areas such as dens, living rooms, or family rooms. Remember to test the alarms regularly!

Homeowners should buy an extinguisher that can handle Class A-B-C fires. This type of extinguisher is designed to extinguish fires that usually occur in homes including wood, paper, flammable liquids, and electrical fires.

The four basic steps in creating an escape plan for your home includes: drawing a floor-plan of your home; agreeing on a meeting place; practicing your escape plan; and making sure your exit drill is realistic.

Firefighters are very concerned about running over fire hoses because the hose can be damaged and any firefighter at the end of a nozzle will have the water interrupted and possibly cause injuries or death. Any hose that is driven over without protection has to be taken out of service and tested.